SURE WINNERS 



— AT — 



AUCTION 
BRIDGE 

New Jingles 

Etc. ■ 



By 

VIRGINIA M. MEYER 



PRICE FIFTY CENTS 



SURE WINNERS 

at 

AUCTION BRIDGE 
NEW JINGLES 
ETC. 



By 

VIRGINIA M. MEYER 
Author of 

Small Talks on Bridge Auction, Bridge 
Quiz, Etc., Etc. 



Address all Mail 

9 1 CASS AVE., MT. CLEMENS, 
MICHIGAN. 



Copyrighted 192! 
By 

Virginia M. Meyer 



Printed in the U. S. A 

OCT 12 1921 
§>C! A6l'4778 Vc J 



Introduction 

An apology may be in order for the 
title of this booklet. Probable Winners 
might be more exact, but the author takes 
the privilege of calling the things that 
win the majority of times — Sure Winners. 

Much is owed to my many pupils for 
the interest they take, the questions they 
ask (in such different forms) to have 
things made clear, that in trying to satisfy 
them, it . has made it possible for me to 
decide the things that are — Sure Winners. 
At the present time there is nothing new 
to expound in Auction, but all that is old 
can be said over and over, and when you 
are tempted to resent the repetitions be- 
cause they seem (and are) so simple, 
ask yourself if they are not the ones you 
most wantonly abuse and ignore. 

Teachers and books can only lay for 
you a good foundation; show you the way 
deductions are made; and the rest you 
must do for yourself. Each hand is dif- 
ferent; some easy, some hard, but no 
matter how critical the situation, you can 
meet it if your early work has been well 

done. Take for your slogan Aces and 

Kings — and brief as the space is given to 
each division and heading in this booklet, 

you will find how logical it all is that 

the right handling of the Aces and Kings 
really make — Sure Winners. 



A Few Laws 

"Know the Rules and when to break them, 

Know the Laws and ne'er forsake them." 

The Laws here quoted are the ones 
adopted in 1920 by the Whist Club. All 
the Laws are important, and would be 
given, but space would not permit. The 
ones here given have been selected be- 
cause most often asked about — and 
broken. 

3-4 — In drawing Ace is low. Between 
cards of equal value, Spade is low, fol- 
lowed by Heart, then Diamond, making 
Club high. 

26 — (a) Players may not look at any 
of the cards during the deal. Penalty 25 
points in the adverse honor score for each 
offense. 

32 — (b) When either opponent calls 
attention to an insufficient bid, it must be 
increased to the right number. The part- 
ner of the offender may not enter the 
bidding until an opponent bids or doubles. 
If neither opponent calls attention to the 
insufficient bid, and the right player bids, 
the previous insufficiency is waived. 

34 — (a) Either opponent may call a 
bid out of turn. The proper player then 
bids, but at no time during that hand may 
the partner of the offender bid. 

4 



(b) When the player on the left of 
the offender bids before the bid is can- 
celled, the out of turn bid is accepted and 
there is no penalty. 

(c) When the player on the right of 
the offender is the proper Declarant, and 
declares without cancelling the bid, such 
act cancels the improper bid and (a) is 
applied. 

47 — As soon as initial lead is made 
Declarant's partner places his hand, face 
upward, on the table, and he becomes 
Dummy. 

48 — Dummy always has the right: 

(a) To call attention to the fact that 
too many or too few cards have been 
played to this trick. 

(c) To ask Declarant if he has any 
of a suit he has refused. 

(d) To correct an error in the score. 

(e) To participate in any discussion, 
after it has arisen, between Declarant and 
an Adversary. 

(f) To correct an improper claim of 
either adversary. 

49 — If Dummy has not intentionally 
looked at a card held by any player, he 
has the following additional rights — 

(h) To claim an Adverse Revoke. 

(i) To call attention to cards exposed 
by Adversaries. 

5 



(j) To call attention to an adverse 
lead out of turn. 

(k) To call attention of Declarant to 
any right he may have under the Law. 

( 1 ) To suggest playing out the hand 
when Declarant would concede any of the 
remaining tricks. 

50- — (a) Should Dummy touch a card 
or otherwise suggest a play by Declarant, 
either Adversary may require the Declar- 
ant to make (if legal) or refrain from 
making said play. 

(b) Should Dummy warn Declarant 
that he is about to lead from the wrong 
hand, either Adversary may designate 
from which hand the lead shall be made. 

53 — (a) A card from Declarant's 
hand is not played or led until quitted. 
If Declarant names or touches a card in 
the Dummy (unless he says "I arrange,** 
or words to that effect) he must play it. 
If he touches two or more simultaneously, 
he may play the one he wants to. 

57 — (a) When the Declarant revokes 
he can not score for tricks, and the Ad- 
versaries in addition to under trick score 
bonus, may add 50 points for each re- 
voke. 

(b) When either adversary revokes 
Declarant for first revoke may take two 
tricks, or 50 points in his honor score, 
and 50 points for each revoke that fol- 
lows. Tricks taken by revoke do not help 
make a Slam or Little Slam. 



6 



61- — (a) The penalty for looking at 
quitted tricks (except when the Law per- 
mits) is 25 points in the adverse honor 
score for each offense. 

Definitions 

Block — Holding up winning card of 
opponent's suit. 

Business Bids — -High initial bids to show 
both strength and length usually confined 
to the Major Suits. 

Business Doubles — Made for the pur- 
pose of doubling the bonus. Doubling 
initial bids of one, or two, is rarely a 
business double. 

Conventions — Declarations and plays 
generally adopted. 

Cross Ruff — When partners can each 
lead a suit the other can trump. 

Ducking— Refusing to win a trick. 

Finesse Trying to make a lower card 

do the work of a higher one. 

Flag Flying — A probable losing bid 
made to keep an adversary from going 
game. Average players should not in- 
dulge in it, as it is apt to prove disastrous. 

Forced Bids—Those that previous bids 
force you to make. 

Fourchette — Holding the card above 
and below the one led by your right hand 

7 



adversary. Always play the higher and 
advance the value of the lower one. 

Free Bids — Made because you want to 
make them. 

Free Doubles — Made because the bidder 
will be able to make the game whether or 
not it is doubled. If he loses bid, it will 
double the bonus. 

Even so, it may give Declarant a big 
bonus. Unless sure — LET IT ALONE. 

Initial Bid — First bid made. 

Initial Lead — First lead made. 

Leading Thru' — Any card led thru* 
your left hand adversary, usually thru* the 
strong suit. 

Leading Up Leading to your right 

hand adversary, usually to his weak suit. 

Minor Suits — Clubs and Diamonds. 

Major Suits — Hearts and Spades. 

Quick Tricks — Aces and Kings. 

Rescue Bid — Made to warn your part- 
ner his bid is dangerous. 

RufT — To trump a suit. 

Sequence — Two or more cards follow- 
ing each other in value. 

Solid Suit Headed by Ace, King and 

Queen. 

8 



Strengthening Card — An intermediate 
card used to force another high card 
from an adversary. 

Shift — Bidding first one suit and then 
another. 

Tenace — The card with the next higher 
but one, or the next lower, but one, of a 

suit. (a) Major Tenace Ace-Queen. 

Double Major Tenace — Ace-Queen-Ten. 
Minor Tenace — King-Jack. 

Throwing the Lead — Leading a card to 
force a player to take the trick so that 
he will have to make a lead that will best 
suit your hand. 

Unblock — Getting rid of high cards to 
avoid taking tricks. 

Winning Bids 

The object of this wee book is to make 
clear some one point (under each head- 
ing) that is a Winner. The author would 
suggest her Auction Bridge Quiz to sup- 
plement the general bidding and outline 
of the game. 

The early bidding is divided into two 
classes. Information and Business Bids 
Learn to distinguish one from the other 
and the rest will be easy. 



9 



The Initial Bid of one is an Information 
bid made for one of two things. 

(a) An invitation to your partner to 
make the best use he can of your hand 
by bidding. 

(b) Willing to play the hand with the 
declaration named. Attention will be 
called to two bids that are — Sure Winners. 

(a) Minor Suit Bids are Invitation 
Bids, and asks your partner to show the 
best holding he has, even if it be only a 
four card suit. The only time that this 
invitation may be ignored is when his hand 
plays only for the Minor Suit mentioned 
by partner. 

(b) If there is no intervening bid be- 
tween a bid of one No-Trump and part- 
ner, the latter must bid any five (or more) 
card suit he may have (be it weak or 
strong). If it is a very strong Major Suit, 
bid three instead of two to emphasize it. 
Do not disregard these bids. They are — 
Sure Winners. 

Major Suit Bids of one show a willing- 
ness to play the bid. 

Bids of two or more in Major Suits — ask 
partner not to interfere, unless sure of 
what he is doing. 

10 



Doubling 



Only the Conventional Doubles will re- 
ceive special attention. Many splendid 
opportunities occur in which they may be 
used to great advantage. 

(a) They are never made to increase 
the bonus score. 

(b) Most effective when they are made 
over the dealer's Initial Bid. 

(c) Not sound when made after part- 
ner has once passed. 

(d) Rarely a winner when the original 
bidder is at your left. 

Doubling an Initial Bid of one No- 
Trump shows an EVENLY BALANCED 
HAND, and asks your partner to name his 
LONGEST suit. 

Doubling an Initial Suit Bid of one or 
two shows an excellent hand in the other 
three suits, and invites partner to bid his 
LONGEST suit, using high cards in other 
suits for outside tricks. 

Only time partner may refuse to answer 
this double is when he is long in the suit 
of the Original Bidder (then the bid must 
work out as best it will) unless he is 
strong enough to bid No-Trump. 

11 



A word to the partner of the Initial 
Bidder is now in order. Unless he has an 
unusually strong hand he keeps quiet. 
The real obligation is with the Doubler's 
partner. 

Never double a bid for a probable 
bonus score that will Rouble the bidder 
into game, if he wins. Be satisfied with a 
gain of 50 or 100 undoubled, rather 
than to take a possible chance of giving 
bidder a big score. 

Re-Doubling 

Better let it alone unless you know ex- 
actly what you are doing. Should be a 
Sure Winner — and ready to double any- 
thing to which they may switch. 

Miscellaneous Bids 

Bids mean different things at different 
times if dealer and second hand pass. 
Third hand bidding at this stage of the 
game is different. 

(a) Shows more than the strength of 
a first bid, as partner has passed denying 
a worth while hand. 

(b) Is not apt to be an Invitation Bid 
for the same reason, partner has denied 
anything worth inviting. 

12 



(c) It is more likely to be a Directive 
Bid to put his partner in touch with his 
hand in case Fourth Hand bids. 

After three passes, Fourth Hand should 
only bid on a very good hand that looks 
as if it might go game with even only 
fair help from partner. It is never worth 
while to play for one or two tricks, unless 
something on the score. 

Fourth Hand should never take the 
dealer out of a Minor Suit Bid, unless he 
has a game hand. If Fourth Hand is the 
first one to bid, and does so on a mediocre 
hand, he may open Secondary Bids that 
will win the game. 

Do not mistake a Rescue Bid for a Take 
Out Bid. 

Rescue Bid is one that reduces from a 
higher to a lower bid, denying any assist- 
ance for the bid made, and hoping the 
first bid may assist the Rescue. 

Reducing a No-Trump, may or may not, 
be a Rescue. Minor Suits are apt to be 
Rescue Bids. Major Suits may or may not 
be. In either case it is only showing a 
five card suit. If very strong, make a bid 
of three instead of two. 

A Take Out Bid is an answer to an In- 
vitation Bid or Double. If very strong, 



13 



make a high Free Bid. Partner bidding 
after an intervening bid is never a Rescue 
or Take Out. It is a Free Bid and he 
should stay out of the game, unless he can 
offer something that will really please his 
partner. 

The bids above given are the ones most 
needed and the ones most abused. Work 
to the limit the Aces and Kings — they are 
strong and can stand it, because they are 
— Sure Winners. 

After the Bidding 

When the Dummy Hand goes on the 
table it is a very important factor, and 
should greatly influence the play on both 
sides, and each must size up the situation. 
The Declarant has the best of it in every 
way. (a) Information of the bidding, 
(b) Knows every card that is against 
him. (c) May false card and deceive 
in every way. 

Only by conscientious team work, 
Conventional Leads and recognized plays 
(see Auction Bridge Quiz) can the Ad- 
versaries give each other the information 
the Declarant already has. 

The Declarant must consider: (a) Is 
he good for game, or only his contract 
(b) If sure of his contract, and a fav- 
14 



orable finesse will win the game, make a 
Slam or Little Slam— take the chance. 

(c) Should never take finesse that may 
result in loss of contract. (d) Should 
never hesitate to take the trick that will 
win the game or contract. 

As Declarant sees and plays both his 
own and Dummy's hand, no strict rules 
are given, but — at No-Trump. (a) If a 
finesse can be taken on either first or sec- 
ond round, take it on the latter as six 
cards instead of two are seen, and it will 
be easier to judge how the cards will 
break. (b) Try to establish re-entries 
in the weak hand. (c) Try to keep the 
Adversary who can lead thru* the strong 
hand from taking a trick. (d) Hold up 
the winning card of Adversary's suit until 
his partner has no more. 

At Declared Trump — (a) The Declar- 
ant should exhaust trumps, if he has good 
suit. (b) If void of good suit, establish 
a Cross Ruff if possible. (c) Ruff often 
is possible from the weak hand. (d) 
After trumps are exhausted, play all suits 
as at No-Trump. 

Adversaries' Play 

At No-Trump (a) Open long suit. 

(b) Do not hesitate to open an Ace- 
Queen Suit. (c) Do not finesse in 
partner's suit, unless there is an Honor in 
the Dummy Hand. (d) Lead partner's 



15 



suit if he has bid. (e) It is a trick loser 
to avoid opening a suit in which the Dec- 
larant has shown protection. It may take 
the only winner he has in the suit. (f) 
Show partner commanding card of his 
suit. (g) Do not switch suits unless 
certain of results. 

At Declared Trumps — (a) Win with 
Aces and Kings early or they may be 
trumped. (b) If Declarant leads trumps 
try to stop it at once and make all win- 
ning cards possible. (c) If Declarant 
does not lead trump, the Adversaries 
should (thru* the strong hand, if possible) 
try to stop a Cross Ruff of Declarant, (e) 
Don't let the Declarant Ruff from one 
hand and discard from the other. (f) 
Force the strong hand to trump. (g) Do 
not hesitate to take the trick that will 
save the game, or set the contract. 

The Rule of Eleven 

This rule cannot fail when players lead 
the fourth best of a long suit — and the 
card must not be higher than a 9. 

Deduct the face value of the card led 
from eleven and the result will be the 
number of card not in the leader's hand 
HIGHER than the card led. 



16 



This rule is very valuable at declared 
trymp also; when more cards can be seen 
than should be, the leader is playing from 
the top of a worthless suit. 

Discards 

The best definition — The cards that can 
best be spared. 

If your first discard is a low card, it is 
from a weak suit. If it is a 7 or higher, 
it is from a strong suit. The chances are 
that cards must be guarded in other suits. 

The discard of a high card followed by 
lower one shows command of that suit — 
but not necessarily a long or strong suit. 

The discard of the commanding card of 
a suit, shows full control of it. 

Ready Reference Winners 

Ace followed by King — no more. 

At Declared Trump a high card fol- 
lowed by a low one shows no more. 

With cards in sequence play the lowest 
of it when trying to win the trick. 

Play a backward game at No-Trump. 
17 



Play a forward game against a Suit 
Declaration. 

Unblock your partner's suit. 

Block the Declarant's suit. 

When the weak hand can trump — lead 
trump. 

Do not raise your partner's bid on 
trump strength alone. 

Never spoil a sure Major Suit Bid for a 
doubtful No-Trump. 

Leading an ace at no trump is an in- 
vitation for partner to play his highest 
card, as the suit is both long and strong. 

If Dummy can cover any card you play 
— play low. 

Usually beat the Dummy with any card 
but the Ace. 

Second Hand should cover an honor 
with an honor (Ace is optional). 

Do not false card and deceive your 
partner. 

Develop long suits at No-Trumps, as 
they are the real winners. 

Count the Aces and Kings against you 
and remember they will all take tricks, 
and are — Sure Winners. 

18 



This booklet will do good work if it 
forces the respect due to the — Aces and 
Kings. 

Count the heavy losses and notice it is 
the abuse and not the use of the — Aces 
and Kings. 

Quick rubbers with an average score of 
350 to 500 shows good Auction. 

Progressive Auction spoils the real 
game. It cuts out all bidding to the score. 

Adversaries must not deceive each other 
in any way. 



19 



Jingles 

Auction is a game of information. 
If abused, it needs an explanation. 
That only makes your partner glare, 
So, if of tricks you have but two, 
The only thing for you to do, 
Is, of your words be very spare. 

Optimistic you must be, 
If three sure tricks you plainly see, 
Good for bidding, good for raise, 
Makes no difference" how it plays. 

No Trump, backward game, both si 
play, 

In doing so, if it seems best, 
Hold up, unblock, finesse in every way 
The cards will stand the test. 

Winning Cards you should play early, 
If the bid made was a Trump, 

For your partner will be surly, 
If perchance, they get a bump. 

The High-Low Signal is a good one, 
Shows that something should be done. 
"Come on** with that is the demand, 
For doing so just fits my hand. 

When the bids begin to soar, 
Count the tricks against you, 

If from partner none are due, 
Be a sport and say no more. 



20 



An Ace-King Sonnet 

Aces and Kings — same old story 

nothing new, 
In bids at Auction impress on 

your mind, 
Sure Winners they are, you always 

will find, 
Like good old friends they prove 

ever true, 

And when you most want them, they will 

work for you. 
Queens and Knaves, with many small ones, 

though combined, 
At the crucial point do not stand 

the grind, 
But the good old Kings and Aces 

always do, 
Thirteen cards you have, partner 

has the same, 
Opponents have like number, not 

one more, 
And with sound bidding things 

are never tame. 
The Kings and Aces with their wide- 
spread fame, 
If rightly used, played always to 

the score, 
It's nip and tuck to win or save 

the game. 



Remember 



S ure bidding is the nucleus of good Auction. 

Useful information, if rightly used wins 
tricks. 

Reading well the cards is the fascination of 
the game. 

Ever be on the alert to win or save the game. 



Watch carefully the Score, for on it much 
depends. 

Invitation bids require an answer of some kind. 

Never bid for something you do not really 
want. 

Never spoil a sure major bid for a doubtful 
no-trump. 

Estimate carefully your hand, and all its 
resources. 

Rule of Eleven is very reliable at no-trump. 

Study the Dummy hand and let it influence 
your play. 



A singleton in the strong hand is an element 

in weakness. 
To raise on trump strength alone, is bad 

bidding. 

Aggressive game is played against suit bids. 

Unblock your partner's suit at no-trump. 

Change suit often against suit bids. 

Team work is the essence of good play. 

Initial bids must show Aces and Kings. 

OpP onent s try to set the bid, or at least save 
the game. 

Never raise partner's bid with less three sure 
tricks. 

Business Bids mean exactly their name — 
Business. 

Rescue Bids must not be lightly disregarded. 

If partner leads to weakness in Dummy, 

don't return it. 
Deductions should be made on every round. 

Guarded keep your honors, for mischief they 
may do. 

Early doubting demands partner to get in 
the game. 



23 



Finis 

Even for a booklet, I am very wee, 
And the experts will not need me. 
For Sure Winners I am very strong, 
To help the average ones along, 
Never putting them in wrong, 
And if they closely follow me, 
Experts some day they will surely be. 



All questions will be promptly answered 
By 

VIRGINIA M. MEYER 
91 Cass Avenue 
Mt. Clemens, Mich. 
24 



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